Tom Selleck tries luck on TV's 'Las Vegas'

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 10, 2007

Tom Selleck, who reigned in Hawaii as Magnum, P.I., is getting ready to take over Las Vegas. Selleck will join the cast of the NBC drama next season, playing a billionaire with a mysterious past who becomes the new owner of the show's centerpiece hotel, the Montecito Resort & Casino, the network said Wednesday in an Associated Press report. Selleck is coming to the series as James Caan, who has starred as the casino's surveillance chief and chief exec, departs. Caan, who previously announced he would leave after the season finale in March, will be back for the premiere next season, NBC said.

No more Grace on Court TV

Nancy Grace is ending her justice-themed interview and debate show, Nancy Grace: Closing Arguments, on Court TV after 10 years. "Court TV will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will always look back at my time there with great gratitude and affection, " she said Wednesday in a statement reported by the Associated Press. The controversial Grace said she is leaving Court TV to focus on her legal analysis program, Nancy Grace, on CNN Headline News and on her charitable endeavors.

DirecTV revives NBC's 'Passions'

Passions is heading for outer space. Okay, just that Earth orbit where satellites live. Passions becomes DirecTV's in September when the satellite service rescues the daytime drama that NBC is cutting loose. DirecTV's pickup of Passions - to air on its original programming channel, the 101 - is designed to lure some of the show's 2-million viewers, a piddling number for networks but a big one for satellite originals. The soap's run on NBC ends Sept. 7. It then repremieres Sept. 17. It'll air weekdays in the same 2 p.m. time slot, and DirecTV throws in weekend encores.

'NCIS' producer leaves series

Neither Donald P. Bellisario nor star Mark Harmon would comment about the news that Bellisario is stepping down as executive producer of NCIS, the CBS series he created four years ago. CBS Paramount Network Television confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that Bellisario would leave to develop projects that are part of his deal with the studio. CBS officials downplayed rumors of conflict between the producer and the NCIS star, noting that it was not unusual for an executive producer to depart after a lengthy run. The series, about a naval criminal investigative team that operates outside the military chain of command, has developed a loyal audience.